Osaka University researchers find immune secret to supercentenarian longevity

supercentenarians CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes immune system adaptation longevity research clonal expansion

Researchers from Osaka University, Keio University, and RIKEN have identified a unique immunological mechanism in supercentenarians—individuals living beyond 110 years. A study published in Cell Reports reveals that these individuals possess a significantly higher proportion of CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4 CTLs) compared to younger age groups.

While CD4 cells typically act as coordinators within the immune system, in supercentenarians, they acquire the ability to directly attack and destroy abnormal or infected cells, including tumor cells. The study observed that the median proportion of these cells increases with age: from approximately 4% in individuals aged 70–90, to 9.6% in those aged 100–109, and reaching 17.6% in those over 110.

Lead researcher Kosuke Hashimoto noted that this finding challenges the traditional view of immune senescence as a simple process of decline. Instead, the data suggests that the immune system can undergo selective adaptation and remodeling even in extreme old age. This increase is driven by clonal expansion, where specific T-cell clones multiply to respond to persistent biological threats, potentially helping these individuals avoid fatal diseases like cancer.

Entities

Cell Reports · Keio University · Kosuke Hashimoto · Osaka University · RIKEN · University of Osaka

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] CD4 T cells represent a median of 4% in participants aged 70-99, 9.6% in those aged 100-109, and 17.6% in those over 110. www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Supercentenarians over 110 years old undergo an immune system remodeling that expands specific immune cell networks. www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Researchers from Osaka University identified a mechanism for extreme longevity in supercentenarians. www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Superagers are adults over 80 with episodic memory comparable to people aged 50 or 60.
[● 2 SOURCES] The presence of CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes increases significantly with extreme age. www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A specific type of neuron may be responsible for the cognitive resilience seen in superagers.